Metallic door.



J. l. LEMPERA.

METALLIC DOOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 18, 1913.

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- unrrnp sr rrns PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN I. LEMP RA, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

METALLIGIDOOR.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN I. LEMPERA, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Metallic Doors, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,.forming a part of thespecification.

My invention relates to metallic doors and windows and its object primarily is to provide a metallic door which is neat in. appearance and of sturdy and economical construction.

Broadly, the. door of my invention comprises a pair of parallel vertically disposed hollow sheet metal stiles. Connecting said stiles is a plurality of rails of the same general cross section as the stiles, said rails being disposed parallel to each other and perpendicular to the parallel stiles. A. suitable interlocking connection is'formed between the inner edge of each of the stiles and the adjacent end of each of the rails, said connection being effectively made without the employment of bolts, screws or rivets. Connecting the stiles and rails are suitable sheet metal panels, each of said panels being rigidly secured to the adjacent stiles and rails by means of interlocking connections which will hereinafter be more fully described.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating my invention, Figure 1 is a side elevational View of a door constructed in accordance withmy invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4; is a perspective view of one of the plates employed to close the ends of the vertical stiles. Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken through the vertical stiles and one of the panels of a slightly modified form of door construction. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating another form of door construction embodying my invention. Fig. 7 illustrates in fragmentary section a means for reinforcing the connection between a rail and stile.

' Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings is illustrated a door constructed in accordance with my invention, said door comprising a pair of ver- Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Aug. 17,1915. Application filed Ju1y. 18,191 3. Seria1 No.779,654. I I

tical sheet metalhollow stiles of general rec tangular cross vsection, said stiles, being dis-a posed in parallel arrangement. Each end of each of the stiles is closed by means of a rectangular plate 2, which. is soldered or otherwise retained in position. Connecting the ends of the stiles 1 arehorizontal rails 3. Each of the rails is provided at either end with a pair. of inturned flanges 4 arranged to interlock with channels 5 formed on the inner edges of the stiles 1, said channels being formed by turning backupon ltself each edge of the material of which each one of the stiles is formed, this being clearly illustrated in Fig. 3. I also provide an intermediate horizontal connectingrail, this saidintermediate rail being also provided with end flanges 4 arranged to engage the channels 5 of the stiles 1. Connecting the rails and channels and rigidly secured to the same are the panels 7 formed of substantially parallel plates of sheet metal, there being one of said panels interposed between each of the horizontal end rails3 and the intermediate rail 6.

The inner edges of the horizontal rails 2 and the upper and lower edges of the intermediate rail 6 are provided with channels 8 corresponding to the channels 5 of the stiles. The channels 7 extend between the adjacent portions of the channels 88 of each of the rails, and the channels 55 of each of the stiles. Inasmuch as the connection between thepanels and the stiles is accomplished in the same manner as is the connection between the panels and the rails, it will suffice merely'to illustrate how the rails are secured to the panels, it being borne in mind that the channels 5 of the stiles serve the same function as the channels 8 of the rails, in so far as the connection with the panels is concerned.

Engaging each of the panels at each of it'sedges on either side thereof, is a fastening; strip 9, each of said fastening strips being provided with an outwardly projecting channel 10 arranged to interlock with the adjacent one of the channels 5 of the stiles, or the channels 8 of the rails, the channels of the fastening strips onthe lateral edges of the panels being arranged to interlock with the channels 5 of the stiles, while the channels carried by the fastening strips on the upper and lower edges of the panels en-- gage the channels 88 of the rails. It should be noted that one] of the fastening strips 9 of each pair, extends around the adjacent edge of its panel 7 and overlaps the other fastening strip 9 of the pair, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2. It is thus evi dent, that by interlocking the channels 10 rigidly connected to each other.

and molding, both extend into the channels Locatedin the angles between the stiles and the panels, and the rails and the panels are suitable molding strips 11, each of said strips comprising a piece of metal which has been given an artistic conformation and provided with a flanged portion 12, arranged to extend into the adjacent channel carried by its corresponding stile or rail, as the case may be. I find it convenient to have each of the flanged portions 12 of the molding strips formed integral with the adjacent flange of one of. the panel fastening strips, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, although this is merely optional, the essential requirement being that the flanges of the securing strips of the stiles and rails, as set forth.

It will be noted that each of the panels 7 is provided with a filling of asbestos or other fire resisting material 13, and that each stile and rail is provided with a longitudinal strip 14 of asbestos or other fire resisting material, said strips 14 being arranged diagonally of the rails and stiles and extending the entire length thereof, the diagonal asbes- 1 tos strips serving to divide each of the stiles and rails into separate dead air spaces. It might be here stated that instead of having the securing strips for the panels separate therefrom and attached thereto as shown in Fig. 2, the said strips might be formed integral with the sides of the panel.

In the modified form of door construction shown in Fig. 5, it will be noted that the several parts are identical with the corre- 3 sponding parts shown in Figs. 1 and 2, ex

cept that the flanges of the molding strips and the panel retaining strips are not integral as in the form of construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2. These flanges, however, do

-= both extend into the channels of the stiles and rails, adjacent ones of said flanges serving to securely retain each other in position. In this figure, the parts have been designated by the same reference character as the corresponding-parts in Figs. 1 and 2, with the exception that the character a has been added to each of said reference characters.

In the form of door construction illustrated in fragmentary section in Fig. 6, it

' should be noted that the corresponding panel securing strips on opposite faces of the panels are formed integral with each other vintegral as in the construction illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. To each of the elements shown in Fig. 6 has been appended the reference character designating the corresponding element in Figs. 1 and 2, letter b being added to each of said reference characters in Fig. 6. g I

Fig. 7 illustrates'a modified connection between a rail and stile. This View is very similar to Fig. 3 and the reference numerals appended to the several elements in Fig. 3 have been applied to the corresponding parts in Fig. 7, the letter (Z however being added to each of said reference numerals. It should be noted, however, that in the form of door construction shown in Fig. 7 the outwardly opening channels 15 are substituted for the flanges a of Fig. 3. Moreover, a transverse retaining piece 16 provided with channels 17 arranged to interlock with the channels 5 and 15 effectually prevents displacement of the channels and spreading of the panel plates.

For the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and l, the rails 3, 3, and 6 are formed, and

the panel-retaining members 9 and moldings 11 are placed in position on the rails by sliding them longitudinally of the rails and springing the parts slightly as may be necessary to place the retaining members and moldings in position. The panels 7, 7, are inserted between the moldings and retaining members on the rails, and then the retaining members 9 and moldings 11 are placed on the vertical edges of the panels, and the stiles 1, 1, are slid longitudinally into position, after which the end plugs 2 are placed in the ends of the stiles and Welded in position. The metal from which the parts are made is sufficiently thin to permit considerable springing of the parts to permit of the assembly in the manner referred to.

For the construction shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the parts are assembled in substantially the same manner, with the exception that the molding strips l1 are pressed into place after the other parts have been assembled. Here, again, the spring of the parts permits the interlocking flanges of the moldings and the channels to spring past each other so that they may be properly engaged in the position indicated in the figures of drawings.

In assembling the construction shown in Fig. 7, the retaining members 16 are placed in engagement with the channels formed on the ends of the rails, and then the stiles are slid into position, the other parts having been assembled as described above.

While I have illustrated my invention in the particular embodiments herein shown and described, I do not limit myself to these particular constructions, but desire to claim 1 any equivalents thereof which may suggest themselves to one skilled in the art. While in the appended claims I shall refer to a door or a door construction, it is to be borne in mind that my invention is applicable to windows and other vsimilar constructions;

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United fitates, is:

1. A door comprising a pair of hollow stiles formed of sheet metal, a pair of rails connecting said stiles, each of said stiles be-- from the panel and extending from thepanel and provided with flanges for engag-i ing the channels of the stiles and rails, and molding strips in the angles between the panel and its adjacent stiles and rails, said molding strips being provided with flanges extending into the channels of the rails and stiles.

2. A door comprising a pair of hollow stiles formed of sheet metal, a pair of rails connecting said stiles, each of said stiles being provided with a pair of laterally opening channels at the inner edge thereof, flanges carried by the ends of the rails arranged to engage said channels, the rails being provided with channels corresponding to the channels of the stiles, a panel disposed between the stiles and rails, panel-securing strips separate from said panel and extending from the panel and provided with flanges arranged to engage the channels of the stiles and rails, and molding strips in the angles between the panel and its adjacent rails and stiles, said molding strips being provided with flanges arranged to extend into the channels of the rails and stiles.

3. A door comprising a pair of hollow stiles formed of sheet metal, a pair of rails connecting said stiles, each of said stiles being provided with a pair of channels at the inner edge thereof having walls extending substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the door, flanges carried by the ends of the rails arranged to engage said channels, the rails being provided with channels cor responding to the channels of the stiles, a panel extending between the channels on said stiles and rails, and separate panel securing strips extending from the panels and provided with flanges arranged to engage the channels of the stiles and rails.

4. A door comprising a pair of hollow stiles formed of sheet metal, a pair of rails connecting said stiles, each of said stiles being provided with a pair of outwardly opening channels at the inner edge thereof and having walls extending substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the door,

flanges carried by the ends of the rails arranged to engage saidrchannels, the rails being provided with channels corresponding to the channels of the stiles, a panel disposed between the stiles andrails, and separate panel securing strips extending from the panels and provided with flanges arranged to engage the channels of the stiles and rails. v

5. A door construction comprising vertical stiles and a panel, said stiles being provided withchannels and said panel being provided with retaining means having flanges arranged, to engage in said channels, there being molding strips separate from the panel disposed in the angles between the panel and stiles, each of said molding'strips being provided with a flange arranged to engage one of the stile channels. I

'6. A door construction comprising a plurality of vertical stiles and horizontal rails,

each of said rails and stiles being open at its inner edge and being provided with a pair of outwardly opening channels, a panel disposed between the stiles and rails and extending through the opening in each of them, and a separate retaining strlp extend-cc ing from the panel provided with flanges arranged to engage the channels of stiles and rails.

7. A door construction comprising a plurality of vertical stiles and horizontal rails, each of said rails: and stiles having an opening along its inner edge and being provided with a pair of outwardly opening channels, a panel disposed between-the stiles and rails and extending through said openings, a re taining strip separate from the panel and extending from the panel and provided with flanges for engaging the channels of the stiles and rails, and molding strips interposed in the angles between the panels and stiles and rails, each of said molding strips being provided with a flange interlocking with the adjacent channel of a stile or rail.

8. A door construction comprising a hollow edge member consisting of a piece of material bent to form an outer edge and lateral faces and bent at the inner edge of the edge member to form channels opening toward the lateral faces, a panel disposed between the backs of the channels and extending into the edge member, and panel and bent at the inner edge of the edge members to form channels opening toward the lateral faces, a panel disposed between the backs of the channels and extending. into the edge members and panel securing means separate from the panel extending from the edge of the panel around and into the adjacent channels to prevent displacement of {)he channel and spreadingof the edge memers.

10. A door construction comprising a hollow edge member consisting of a piece of material bent to form an edge and lateral faces and bent at the other edge to form channels opening toward the lateral faces, a panel disposed between the backs of the channels and extending into the edge member, panel-securing means separate from the panel and extending from the panel around and into the channels to prevent displacement of the panel and spreading of the edge member, and a molding in the angle between the paneland said edge member extending into a channel and interlocked with said panelsecuring means.

11. A door construction comprising a hollow edge member consisting of a piece of material bent. to form an outer edge and lateral faces and bent at the inner edge of the edge member to form channels opening toward the lateral faces, a panel comprising a pair of face plates disposed between the backs of the channels and extending into the nels to prevent spreading of the panel and spreading of the edge member.

12A door construction comprising a pairofparallel hollow stiles, each consisting of apiece of material bent to form an outer edge and lateral faces and bent at the inner edge of the stile to form channels opening toward the lateral faces and extending substantially the full length of the stile, a plurality of rails connecting the stiles, each rail disposed at right angles to the stiles and provided with inwardly projecting flanges arranged to extend into the channels of the stiles, a panel disposed between the stiles and rails, panel retaining devices separate from the panel engaging in the outwardly opening channels of the stiles, and a plurality of locking members, each locking member provided with channels arranged to interlock with the channels of one of the stiles, said locking members preventing spreading and displacement of the stiles and rails.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 14th day of July, A. D. 1913.

JOHN I. LEMPERA.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. G. 

